According to a new study, cannabis oil (containing both CBD and THC) is effective in reducing seizure counts and improving quality of life measures in those with Dravet Syndrome.

An epilepsy word cloud.

The study, titled A prospective open-label trial of a CBD/THC cannabis oil in dravet syndrome, was published by the journal Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. According to the Dravet Foundation, dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), “is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy”, with “an estimated incidence rate of 1:16,000 to 1:21,000”.

The study’s abstract starts by stating that “Both Δ9 Tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) components of cannabis, have been shown to have anticonvulsant effects. Cannabis oils are used to treat seizures in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).” It then goes on to note that “Recent trials provide data on dosing, side effects, and efficacy of CBD, yet there is a paucity of information on THC in epilepsy.”

The primary objective of the study “was to establish dosing and tolerability of TIL-TC150 – a cannabis plant extract produced by Tilray®, containing 100 mg/mL CBD and 2 mg/mL THC- in children with Dravet syndrome. Secondary objectives were to